146 CllADBOUKNE, Sffiiti^ /^/itmaji^r. of tlir Koholiiik. .''^.jj 



In conclusion, I wish lo add a few words on the subject of 

 ' MOUi/nN(; ' in its wider appUcation : — First, it is most important 

 to have an exact definition of the word ' wrw//,' which has often 

 been used with very different meaning ; namely, for new feather- 

 growth, of the whole, or of a part of the plumage, for feather-loss, 

 for complete, or slight changes of color whether caused by feather- 

 change, by true color-change, or simply from mechanical ' wear 

 and tear,' and the shedding of the deciduous tips. The word 

 'moult ' is too firmly established, and too convenient to be aban- 

 doned, but its use should be restricted to the regular seasonal 

 feather-change^ without regard to the color or coloration 

 OK THE PARTS CONCERNED ; and whe?i not farther qiialifieil^ the 

 shedding of all the feathers^ including the large fight feathers, should 

 be understood. The expressions, '■feather-loss.,^ ' new feather-growth ' 

 and '•feather-change,' are scientifically exact, they define them- 

 selves, and are the equivalents of German terms, already in use. 

 Why should not these, or some similar words be adopted by us. 



Second : — The meaning of ' col(jr-change ' would seem to be 

 sufficiently clear, yet it has been very differently interpreted by 

 writers on the colors of feathers ; and such sentences as, " color- 

 change, aside from the effects of exposure and fading ", are often 

 used. Moreover, as a rule, those who are sceptical on the 

 subject of ' color-change without moult,' refuse to admit that an 

 alteration from a darker shade to a lighter tint is an instance of a 

 change in color. Yet obviously, the development of a lighter 

 color may be either a true color-change, in the most strict 

 sense, or it may be purely mechanical with resulting loss of 

 substance. As applied to feathers therefore, any perceptible 

 departure from the former shades and tints., or from their previous 

 distribution, is a color-change. When used in connection with the 

 subject of ' color-change without moult,' however, it is clearly 

 intended to exclude alterations due to causes, acting from out- 

 side the body, and mechanically ; and thus limited, a true 

 color-change is ivholly, or in part due to conditiotis within the 

 organism., or within the feather itself ; to alterations in the coloring- 

 matter., or in its distribution in the feather. 



Third: — Fading, as already stated, implies a gradually progres- 

 sive change from a darker shade to a lighter tint, rcsulti?ig from 

 conditions external to the body. 



